NIEF-Norf          

summer festival

      June 1 - 16, 2024      

The perfect intersection of performance, composition, and music technology.

The Nief-Norf Summer Festival is a multidisciplinary new music festival that brings together performers, composers, improvisers, scholars, and music technologists for collaboration and exploration of contemporary music within an immersive environment. Hosted at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the festival provides opportunities for masterclasses, workshops, and performances with world-renowned faculty at the state-of-the-art Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. Nief-Norf fosters an incredible community of contemporary musicians who create, collaborate, experiment, and problem solve in exploration of what it means to be contemporary musicians and perform for a modern audience.

Learn more about our NNSF24 tracks below!

  • The NNSF Performance Track offers a concentrated contemporary music experience and currently invites applications from all instrumentalists and vocalists aged 18 and older including undergraduates, graduates, and professionals.

    Performance Fellows will perform on average five or more works, ranging from world premieres written by festival composers to large ensemble and/or chamber music, open score realizations, and group improvisations.

  • The NNSF Composition Track offers an intensive experience in chamber music composition, and currently invites applicants from composers of all styles and backgrounds, including undergraduates, graduates, and professionals.

    Admitted fellows will compose one work for 2-8 musicians up to eight minutes in duration under the mentorship of Erin Rogers, NNSF Composition Director, and collaborate with performance fellows in real time leading up to a world premiere showcase. Composers will receive an audio recording from their dress rehearsal and a single-angle video recording from the world premiere.

  • A limited number of positions are available for the Composer-Performer Track — a strategic hybrid in which fellows have the opportunity to collaborate throughout their composition process as well as perform on several other pieces of repertoire during the festival. A schedule is synthesized to allow composer-performers to attend select masterclasses and lectures from both tracks.

    Composers who wish to perform in their own world premiere but not perform any additional repertoire should apply for the Composition Track.

  • NNSF Music Technology fellows will explore the development of their own music/projects mentored by festival coaches, fostering the realization of original concepts involving interactive electronic and electro-acoustic sound production. Tech fellows will also collaborate with the other tracks in the performance of chamber, open score, improvised, and/or electronic music.

    Applications are open to music technologists of all backgrounds, interests, and specialties.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

EARLY ENROLLMENT

November 6 - DECEMBER 17, 2023

TUITION | $1,899

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION | January 1

TUITION DEPOSIT DUE | January 17

TUITION BALANCE DUE | April 7

TIER I ENROLLMENT

DECEMBER 18, 2023 - JANUARY 28, 2024

TUITION | $2,199

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION | February 12

TUITION DEPOSIT DUE | February 28

TUITION BALANCE DUE | April 7

TIER II ENROLLMENT

January 29 - February 29, 2024

TUITION | $2,499

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION | March 7

TUITION DEPOSIT DUE | March 21

TUITION BALANCE DUE | April 7

Nief-Norf Summer Festival 2024 Team

  • ANDY BLISS

  • LISA CELLA

  • CLAIRE CHENETTE

  • VICKY CHOW

  • ALEX DALLY

  • CHELSEA LOEW

  • JORDAN MUNSON

  • NILOUFAR NOURBAKHSH

  • AUSTIN TAYLOR

  • ASHLEY WALTERS

  • KEVIN ZETINA

  • More coming soon!

Application, Financial, and housing information

Check out details below for application requirements, financial information (including discount opportunities!) and NNSF Housing options!

  • There is no application fee for NNSF24. The application is one page that will prompt you upload or link to the following items:

    • Video Statement — Hyperlink

      • Briefly tell us about yourself; what is your experience with contemporary music, why would you like to attend NNSF24, and what do you seek to gain from the festival?

    • Biography, Résumé, or Curriculum Vitae — PDF Upload

      • A concise survey of your musical experience and/or education

    • Scores of Previous Work — PDF Uploads

      • Composition and Composer-Performer tracks only

    • Recording(s) — Hyperlink(s)

      • Optional: Demonstrate your work / performance history

    • Repertoire Sheet — PDF Upload

      • Optional: List your repertoire history and/or a repertoire wishlist for the festival

    Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by May 31, 2024.

    Applications materials are not required for auditors. Follow the same link to register!

  • Please see tuition timeline above for detailed financial due dates! Tuition invoices will be sent upon acceptance and payments can be made on the total balance at individual discretion until the deadline.

    TUITION — FELLOWS

    Early Enrollment: $1,899 ($759 non-refundable deposit)
    Tier I Enrollment: $2,199 ($859 non-refundable deposit)
    Tier II Enrollment: $2,499 ($999 non-refundable deposit)

    Tuition for fellows does NOT include housing or meals — please see housing and meal options below!

    Tuition and housing refunds will not be issued after May 1, 2024 — deposits are non-refundable except in extreme circumstances.

  • NNSF Affiliate — $250 discount per new individual who is accepted & submits tuition deposit

    • Refer a colleague for a $250 discount — there will be a referral prompt on the application form!

    • There is a maximum of four affiliate discounts (total of $1,000).

    • Alumni who refer a colleague but cannot personally attend the festival will receive a $50 affiliate award from Nief-Norf!

    Alumni — $250 discount

    • All NNSF alumni will automatically receive a $250 discount!

    • Alumni can also earn all four referral discounts.

    Please email adally@niefnorf.org to enquire about ensemble discounts!

  • Work-Study Fellows will participate as normal in the festival in their respective track for one of the two weeks, and serve as a festival intern for the alternate week.


    TUITION: $1,249.50 for all enrollment periods

    ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

    • Personal statement highlighting interest, relevant skills and qualifications, and future goals in arts administration

    • One letter of reference

    • Interview with Nief-Norf Administration Team (you will be contacted to set up an interview time after applying!)

    Work-Study Fellow positions are extremely limited and are reserved for individuals with unique and proven experience in arts administration, technology, social media, and other relevant backgrounds.

  • Nief-Norf offers optional Summer Festival housing in association with the University of Tennessee for Festival Fellows and In-Person Auditors. Individuals are expected to provide their own bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, and meals.

    Check-In: June 1, 2023 // Check-Out: June 16, 2023 (15 Nights)

    The NNSF23 dorm is located approximately 0.5 miles (10-minute flat walk) from the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center.

    NNSF24 HOUSING DETAILS

    • UT Housing will cost $812 per person (approximately $54/night)

      • Includes wifi, laundry, shared kitchen per floor, and a bathroom in each dorm room

    • All fellows will have one roommate

      • Please email adally@niefnorf.org to inquire about individual accommodations — we will do our absolute best to make it happen!

      • If you have a roommate in mind, please let us know!

    • Housing payments are due Wednesday, May 15, 2024

    NNSF24 Parking Pass: $49

    Potential meal plan information coming soon!